2013-02-14 15:04:00 -

Innovative state-of-charge calculator maintains accurate fuel gauging with
                             battery age and usage

Geneva, February 14, 2013 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global
semiconductor leader supplying customers across the spectrum of electronics
applications and a leading manufacturer of standard ICs, has unveiled its latest
battery fuel-gauging device featuring patented innovations that improve long-
term accuracy. This tiny chip, the STC3115, can be used in high-volume handheld
electronics, and has already been selected by Samsung for some of its recent
smartphones. Battery charge indicators - or fuel gauges - have become essential
for managing devices such as smartphones, laptops or digital cameras.   Accurate
"time-remaining" predictions enhance the user's experience, and can be critical
in certain types of portable electronics such as medical devices. Even so, many
of today's fuel-gauging electronics are susceptible to errors caused by battery
aging, reduced charging efficiency, leakage, variations in system power demand,
and temperature effects.

To enhance fuel-gauging accuracy, ST has combined several important advances in
its latest adaptive fuel-gauge IC, the STC3115. Until now, leading devices have
used Coulomb counting to monitor energy entering and leaving the battery, and
periodic voltage-mode state-of-charge measurements to adjust the Coulomb counter
for accuracy. The STC3115 uses both sets of measurements continuously, with
OptimGauge(TM), an adaptive algorithm that tracks the state of charge and
corrects the battery model.

The STC3115 further enhances accuracy by measuring true initial battery open-
circuit voltage and preventing measurement disruptions when connecting the
charger or launching an app. The charging inhibitor is a patented feature that
significantly improves accuracy. Aging and temperature compensation are built
in, and the voltage measurement accuracy is 0.25%.

Additional value-added features of the new IC include a low-power mode that
reduces operating current to only 0.45µA while continuing to monitor the
battery, and a 2µA standby mode. An Under-Voltage Lockout (UVLO) filter prevents
short-term fluctuations in battery voltage from causing unwanted system resets.
In addition, the STC3115 saves bill-of-materials costs by operating directly
from the battery voltage without requiring its own voltage regulator.

Key features of STC3115:

  * The OptimGauge algorithm, which adjusts the battery charge/discharge model
    over the battery's life
  * Industry-standard I2C connection to application processor
  * Programmable with different battery profiles at manufacture, for flexibility
  * Monitors batteries up to 4.5V
  * Monitors multi-cell packs when used with TS941ILT low-power buffer
  * Dedicated "battery-present" input simplifies battery replacement
  * Dedicated alarm output, activated if battery voltage falls below threshold
    level



The STC3115 is in full production in a 1.4 x 2.0mm chip-scale package, priced
from $.95 in quantities of 1,000 pieces. If your company has high-volume
requirements please contact your local ST sales office.


About STMicroelectronics
ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the
spectrum of sense and power and automotive products and embedded processing
solutions. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from
healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office,
at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and
innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get
more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

In 2012, the Company's net revenues were $8.49 billion. Further information on
ST can be found at www.st.com.





For Press Information Contact:

STMicroelectronics
Michael Markowitz
Director Technical Media Relations
+1 781 591 0354
michael.markowitz@st.com 

Battery Fuel Gauge from ST: 
 hugin.info/152740/R/1678249/547678.pdf

Battery Fuel Gauge from ST_IMAGE: 
 hugin.info/152740/R/1678249/547679.jpg



This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of 
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: 
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and 
    other applicable laws; and 
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and 
     originality of the information contained therein. 
    
Source: STMicroelectronics via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1678249]